'Even if the benefits of the live link and screens were more obvious to criminal practitioners, tactical concerns surrounding securing best (most impactful) evidence and the jury’s impression of the defendant would likely continue to deter the defence from securing the measures for vulnerable defendants.'

Victims, witnesses and those accused of crimes are often required to give evidence in criminal trials. Children and/or those suffering from a mental health condition or learning disability/difficulty are considered vulnerable. Others are intimidated bythe court process. For such vulnerable or intimidated individuals, it is often much more difficult to give evidence effectively in court, yet their evidence can be vital to the case.

Adaptions – called special measures –can be made to the criminal trial in cases involving vulnerable and/or intimidated people. These special measures seek to enable these participants to give their best evidence.